Prevention Guidelines for Men 40 to 49

Here are the screening tests and immunizations that most men ages 40 to 49 need. A screening test is done to find possible disorders or diseases in people who don't have any symptoms. The goal is to find a disease early so lifestyle changes can be made and you can be watched more closely to reduce the risk of disease, or to detect it early enough to treat it most effectively. Screening tests are not considered diagnostic, but are used to determine if more testing is needed. Although you and your healthcare provider may decide that a different schedule is best for you, this plan can guide your discussion.

Screening

Who needs it

How often

Alcohol misuse

All adults

At routine exams

Blood pressure

All adults

Yearly checkup if your blood pressure is normal*

Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg*

If your blood pressure reading is higher than normal, follow the advice of your healthcare provider

Depression

All men in this age group

At routine exams

Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes

All men beginning at age 45 and men without symptoms at any age who are overweight or obese and have 1 or more additional risk factors for diabetes

At least every 3 years (annually if blood sugar is already rising)

Type 2 diabetes

All men with prediabetes

Every year

Hepatitis C

Anyone at increased risk

At routine exams

HIV

All men

At routine exams

High cholesterol and triglycerides

All men ages 35 and older, and younger men at high risk for coronary artery disease

At least every 5 years

Obesity

All adults

At routine exams

Prostate cancer

Starting at age 45, talk to healthcare provider about risks and benefits of digital rectal exam (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening***

At routine exams

Colorectal cancer

Men of average risk ages 45 and older

Several tests are available and used at different times.

Tests include:

Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or

CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years, or

Colonoscopy every 10 years, or

Yearly fecal occult blood test, or

Yearly fecal immunochemical test every year, or

Stool DNA test, every 3 years

You will need a follow-up colonoscopy if you choose any test other than a colonoscopy and you have an abnormal result. Screening recommendations vary among expert groups. Talk with your doctor about which test is best for you.

Some people should be screened using a different schedule because of their personal or family history. Talk with your doctor about your health history and what colorectal cancer screening schedule is best for you.

Syphilis

Anyone at increased risk for infection

At routine exams

Tuberculosis

Anyone at increased risk for infection

Check with your healthcare provider

Vision

All adults1

Every 2 to 4 years if no risk factors for eye disease

Counseling

Who needs it

How often

Diet and exercise,

Adults who are overweight or obese

When diagnosed and at routine exams

Aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular problems

Men ages 45 to 79, when potential benefits from a decrease in heart attacks outweigh the harm or risks from an increase in gastrointestinal hemorrhage

When diagnosed with risk for cardiovascular/heart disease; check with your healthcare provider before starting

Sexually transmitted infection prevention

Anyone at increased risk for infection

At routine exams

Tobacco use and tobacco-related disease

All adults

Every exam

Immunization

Who needs it

How often

Tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Td/Tdap) booster

All adults

Td: every 10 years

Tdap: substitute a 1-time dose of Tdap for a Td booster after age 18, then boost with Td every 10 years

Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)

All adults in this age group who have no record of previous infection or vaccines**

1 or 2 doses

Chickenpox (varicella)

All adults in this age group who have no record of previous infection or vaccines**

2 doses; the second dose should be given at least 4 weeks after the first dose

Flu (seasonal)

All adults

Yearly, when the vaccine becomes available in the community

Hepatitis A

People at risk2

2 doses given at least 6 months apart

Hepatitis B

People at risk3

3 doses; the second dose should be given 1 month after the first dose, and the third dose should be given at least 2 months after the second dose (or at least 4 months after the first dose)